In Sermon Illustrations: "Lazarus Come Forth"

What Would You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? "Here’s the scenario," the instructor announced to his class of novice truck drivers. "You’re in an 18-wheeler with a heavy load, barreling down a mountainous two-lane highway. Ed, your co-driver, is asleep. There are six trucks behind you, and as you come over the top of a ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

There Is No More Powerful Example Of Hating ...

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 4, 2009

There is no more powerful example of hating someone for what we are guilty of doing ourselves than the story of David and Bathsheba. David sees Bathsheba and decides he must have her. She is a married woman, the wife of Uriah. David has many wives. To cover his sinful relationship with ...read more

Tags: Sin Exposed

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Captain Is My Daddy

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

A little boy was standing on the banks of the Mississippi River waving and shouting at a steamboat that was going by. He was beckoning the steamboat to come to shore. A stranger came by and said, “That's foolish young man. The boat will never come ashore for you. The captain is too busy to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16

Tags: Answered Prayer, Father

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

I've Got To Get Grandma On One Of These Machines!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 29, 2022

Grandpa was way up in years before he ever had the opportunity to go to an airport. He also had never seen an escalator in his life. He stood in amazement watching the escalator go up and down for the longest tme. Then, just as he was about to leave, he saw a whole bus-load of ladies from the ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Love, Marriage, Agape, Humor, Spouses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Door To The Father's House Is Always Open (Father's Day Story)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 7, 2023

JC. Ryle tells of a mother whose daughter ran away and lived a life of sin. For a long time, no one knew where she was, but she finally came back, turned to Christ in repentance, and believed in Him. Someone asked the mother what she had done to bring her daughter back and she replied, “I prayed ...read more

Tags: Fathers, Families, Children, Father's Day, Prayer, Mothers, Prodigal Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Suicide Myth

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 3, 2024

It is a myth that suicide rates increase during the holidays. It is true that deaths rise around Christmas and New Year’s Day. Authorities are not sure why, but some suspect it is because people delay addressing health concerns until after the holidays and/or because hospitals, nursing homes, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Suicide, Christmas Myth

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Whenever A Farmer In Western Kansas Buys A New ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 23, 2004

Whenever a farmer in western Kansas buys a new truck or combine or something, they are hesitant to bring it out or tell anyone about it. I’m not quite sure why that is - but I think a part of it is they don’t want the other farmers to get jealous over what they’ve got and they don’t want to come ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Lutheran

Free Gas: God Knew

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 6, 2011

FREE GAS: GOD KNEW Yesterday we had an "event" at church. We were told to come with comfortable clothes and that was all the direction we received. When we got to church, the pastor said, "OK folks, today we are going to the gas station up the street. We are going to give $25.00 of gas to 150 cars ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Zordak - The Resurrection

Contributed by Samuel Young on Apr 7, 2021

I am Zordak, Jesus’ guardian angel. I want to tell you the story of Jesus. Jesus had died and laid in the grave. I was very sad. There were one hundred Roman soldiers and whole army of evil angels guarding the grave. But Sunday morning is coming… It was still dark. The dew was still on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:62-66, Matthew 28:2, Luke 24:1-44

Tags: Easter, Resurrection

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

If Jesus Is Like My Daddy, I Don't Want Him In My Life.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 1, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, I was asked by one of our AWANA leaders to come to her group and talk to a little girl who really wanted to meet her pastor. She had a question for me. So, I paused what I was doing and found my way to where her group met in our church. The little girl was so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Divorce, Assurance, Promises Of God, Fathers, Evangelism, Fear, Children, Parents, Trust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Kingdom Of God Is Like A Home

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 9, 2008

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A HOME The father and son never could get along. The boy was constantly in trouble and the father was harsh in his attempts to correct him. F: What have you done this time? S: What difference does it make? You always take the other side no matter what I say. F: If you ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Mennonite

If You Were To Ask Jesus Today The One ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jun 27, 2001

“ If you were to ask Jesus today the one reason for his coming to earth, He would sum up his entire ministry in one statement: He came to seek and to save that which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Jesus' Ministry

Denomination: Baptist

A.w. Tozer Preached, "If You Believe There Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Mar 15, 2002

A.W. Tozer preached, "If you believe there is fruit that you know you should bear and do not, victory that you know you should have and have not, then I ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If We Face Our Problems And Respond To Them ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 24, 2002

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, refuse bitterness, or refuse self-pity... THEN GOD CAN TURN THINGS AROUND. THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Serving Both Ways  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 7, 2004

[Illustration] A woman was interviewing a prospective servant and asked, “Can you serve company?” The applicant replied “Yes, mum, both ways.” The woman looked puzzled and asked, “What ...read more

Tags: Church General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rocker Rod Stewart Has Found That Out. A Usa ...

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 27, 2004

Rocker Rod Stewart has found that out. A USA Today article quoted him saying - "I remember being in the south of France years ago, in a suite at the Carlton in Cannes, with girls coming ...read more

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Books Preferred: Americans Still Appreciate A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Books Preferred: Americans still appreciate a good book. When it comes to relaxing in their free time. 40% of adults say they read books for fun, compared to the 27% who surf the Internet for ...read more

Tags: Entertainment

Billy Graham Comments: "Nowhere Does The Bible ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 27, 2006

Billy Graham comments: “Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. Scripture does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Wesleyan

O Thou, The Father Of Us All, Whose Many ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"O thou, the Father of us all, Whose many mansions wait, To whose dream welcome each must come A child, at Heavens gate; In that fair house not made with hands Whenever splendor ...read more

Tags: Dreams

The Love Of God, With Arms Extended On A Cross, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The love of God, with arms extended on a cross, bars the way to hell. But if that love is ignored, rejected and finally refused, there comes a time when love can only weep while man pushes past into ...read more

Tags: God The Father